All Saints
That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:7
Polycarp served as a bishop in the early church. He served in the city of Smyrna, located in modern-day Turkey. One day, during the widespread persecution happening throughout the Roman empire, Polycarp was found and captured by the Romans.
In the middle of a roaring colosseum, a soldier said to Polycarp, “Simply swear to Ceasar and say, ‘take away the atheists.’” (The Romans at that time referred to Christians as atheists) Polycarp gestured to the crowd of pagan Romans and said, “Take away the atheists.” The soldier tried again, “I will let you go if you reproach Christ.” Polycarp said, “Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me? Listen carefully: I am a Christian.” Polycarp was threatened with wild beasts, but he didn’t succumb. Eventually, he was threatened with fire, to which Polycarp answered, “You threaten me with a fire that burns an hour and is soon quenched, for you are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment stored up for the ungodly.”
According to legend, Polycarp was then taken out of the arena and put on a pyre. They lit it on fire, but the fire arched around Polycarp, not even touching him. So, they stabbed him, and it is said that his blood put out the fire. True or not, this legend serves as a powerful picture. Faith is more precious than gold. It will be tested by fire, but that bold faith is not in vain. In fact, it is precious because of what it trusts in. Even if He does not spare us the fire that lasts an hour, Jesus Christ will protect us from the fires of eternity in hell. He has given us salvation. This is a bold truth and confession: Jesus has saved us.
Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Lutheran Hymnal 463:2